1 Corinthians 1:27-29

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; ²⁸ And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: ²⁹ That no flesh should glory in his presence. (KJV)

 sino que lo necio del mundo escogió Dios, para avergonzar a los sabios; y lo débil del mundo escogió Dios, para avergonzar a lo fuerte; ²⁸ y lo vil del mundo y lo menospreciado escogió Dios, y lo que no es, para deshacer lo que es, ²⁹ a fin de que nadie se jacte en su presencia. (RVR 1960)

I could have titled this devotion “What Kind of Fool Are You” or “What King of Weakling are You” or even “What Kind of Lowly and Despised (base) person are You“? All of them would aptly fit today’s text. I think however the fact that God chooses such people over the more “elite”  of the world makes all the difference to Christianity. So let us break it down: 

CONTEXT: In this first epistle to the Church at Corinth, the Apostle Paul begins v.1-17 with an appeal for unity. Corinth’s location made it a very important and busy trading port so many different Gentiles were coming into the church there. This was causing some issues. Beginning in v.18-25 Paul declares to them the Wisdom of God and how man fails to recognize this. Then He prepares or sets them up with v.26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: Paul basically insults them (modern millennial’s would need therapy) saying ‘I see that none of y’all are all that bright’. In reality He is not insulting them He is pointing out God’s method and implying they should be rejoicing. He goes on to explain it in our text so let’s break it down: 

But God hath chosen: In His infinite wisdom makes the choice in all things for His purpose. God is sovereign and neither asks for nor requires your input in the choices He makes.

the foolish things of the world to confound the wise: If we are honest with ourselves, everyone before Christ (and many times since) fit this category of being a fool. God chose us to confound that is to  make known the stupid ignorance of those thinking themselves wise. Also note Paul here writes like in Proverbs comparing two things against each other foolish vs. wise. The Hebrew word for “proverb” (mashal) means a “comparison.”

and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty: When I went through boot camp (Army basic training) we had a guy (Bell) that could do 100 push ups with a fully loaded (maybe 100 lbs) duffel bag on his back. I thought he was the strongest guy I ever met especially since I could barely knock out the 42 needed to pass the physical training test. Then about week 8 of our 12 week training Bell broke his wrist real bad and cried like a baby he was re-classified and had to repeat boot camp and I managed to graduate. God will use the weak to show those thinking the are powerful and mighty just how frail they really are. 

And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen: Base, lowly or insignificant things; things that are despised and treated with contempt God chooses.

As you may know part of this ministry is ministering to inmates. The US prisons are booming, overcrowded and big business. Unfortunately while most county, state and federal facilities have at least volunteer chaplains the product they are peddling leaves much to be desired. A watered down gospel of Jesus loves you has no lasting effect upon inmates and less that 15% who attend services inside remain faithful after release. Some states ( like Massachusetts) even have policies which prohibit volunteers and Chaplains from associating with or contacting (following up) with ex-mates. 

In many cases depending upon what they were locked up for these men and women find further prejudice upon entering the doors of the local church. Instead of welcoming them as Sinners saved by Grace (like you are not) they are all but treated with contempt in the house of God. 

yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: God will build up the lowly things of this world in order to reduce to nothing the things the world has built up. 

That no flesh should glory in his presence: Not that anyone will be able to anyway (my opinion) once the Glory of God hits them, but all of this is done so no man can boast of his doings in the presence of He who is on control of all things. We will only boast of God and Christ Jesus. 

In closing we must remember that the day is coming when God’s plan will be fulfilled and man will be without excuse standing before the King of Kings Philippians 2:9-11

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, ¹¹ and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (NKJV)